초록 ▼

A railroad crossing traffic warning system for alerting a motorist approaching a railroad crossing to the presence of an oncoming train. The system comprises a series of magnetometer sensor probes buried in the right-of way adjacent to a railroad track at predetermined distances from the railroad cr

A railroad crossing traffic warning system for alerting a motorist approaching a railroad crossing to the presence of an oncoming train. The system comprises a series of magnetometer sensor probes buried in the right-of way adjacent to a railroad track at predetermined distances from the railroad crossing. These sensors provide a signal to a controller unit when the presence of a train is sensed. The controller unit first determines the speed at which the oncoming train is traveling and the time it will take for the train to reach the crossing and then activates an improved warning apparatus at a predetermined amount of time before the train reaches the crossing. The improved warning apparatus comprises an X-shaped railroad crossing warning sign or "crossbuck" having a plurality of light emitting diodes ("LED") or the like mounted on the across the center thereof, a plurality of strobe lights, and a train direction indicator comprising a plurality of lamps which are lighted sequentially to indicate the direction in which the oncoming train is traveling. The system may be powered by a rechargeable battery which may be recharged by a solar panel array allowing the system to be utilized at crossings located in rural areas where a source of AC electrical power is not readily available

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A railroad crossing traffic warning system for alerting a motorist approaching a railroad crossing over a railroad track to the presence of an oncoming railroad train, said warning system comprising:(a) a train detection sensor for detecting an oncoming train and for prod

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A railroad crossing traffic warning system for alerting a motorist approaching a railroad crossing over a railroad track to the presence of an oncoming railroad train, said warning system comprising:(a) a train detection sensor for detecting an oncoming train and for producing a train detection signal in response to the presence of an oncoming train, said train detection sensor being positioned adjacent to the railroad track at a predetermined distance from the railroad crossing;(b) a controller unit for receiving the train detection signal from said train detection sensor, said controller unit comprising:(i) microprocessor means for processing the train detection signal of said detection sensor,(ii) sensor signal interface means for interfacing the train detection signal of said detection sensor with said microprocessor means,(iii) means for controlling said means for alerting the motorist, said controlling means being operationally connected to said microprocessor means and to said alerting means,(iv) battery means for supplying operational power to said microprocessor means; and(c) means for alerting the motorist to the presence of an oncoming railroad train such that the motorist may take cautionary or evasive action before the arrival of an oncoming train at the railroad crossing, said alerting means being coupled to and controlled by said controller unit.